Flushing Could Have a Soccer Stadium in the Near Future

We've heard for quite a while about the MLS's quest to add a second soccer franchise to the New York market. The Red Bulls are cool, but the league really fancies the idea of a rival team within city limits. Last we checked, the debate was over which of the city's vacant areas could house a new team, and it appears that matter is nearly settled.

Major League Soccer is closing in on a final deal with state and city officials for a $300 million, 25,000-seat, state-of-the-art soccer-stadium complex in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, The Post has learned.

The proposed facility, construction of which could begin early next year, would be home to a yet-to-be-named new franchise.

The stadium would be located next to the Mets’ Citi Field and the Arthur Ashe tennis stadium, and would include nine high-quality soccer fields available for community and minor-league use, sources said.

That the MLS itself intends to plunk down the funds for this project tells you just how intent they are on adding a New York City franchise. Commissioner Don Garber made that abundantly clear in a conversation with Goal.com. Meanwhile, if you're hanging on to hope of a New York Cosmos rebirth, note that the soccer franchise bearing that name is heading into its first season as a member of the NASL, but the people in charge of it still have interest in joining the MLS. And if not "Cosmos", then ... what?